25th September 2023

 

falling leaves

making the sunlight glitter

broken glass

© Rachel Green September 2023

my mum liked a siesta

after her lunch; after her soaps;

Emmerdale Farm, Crossroads;

(she was less keen on Corrie

and died before Eastenders)

and would pretend to read her Woman's Weekly

with a blanket on her knees

and a dog or two at her feet.

This was her quiet time, 

and I was supposed to play quietly

but I was too young to use the toilet alone

and would wake her up with a start

by shouting "Poo! Poo!"

If only I could go back

and let her sleep;

look at her face

when the worry lines fell away.

© Rachel Green September 2023